From Faith to Footsteps

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There were a lot of times that I felt like I was just in the middle of a big mess, usually one of my own making. I've become a pretty pessimistic person. Things just kept going wrong in seemingly every way. I don't want to try a lot of times because I feel like it is pointless.
Why plan if nothing will work out? Why invest in something that will be over soon? What if I run more and get hurt again? Why try to change something if it may not make a difference?
I struggle with that in this difficult world. It seems so far gone, only worse with how fast time passes and how much life I've already lived, but I have to remember that there is still so much life ahead of me. It's an even better reason why I can start acting in faith more now. There are a lot of things that I don't notice until I'm lost and hurting. I appreciate everything so much more then. I see how life could be when I'm not taking advantage of it. I see God's work in ways I have overlooked before. I get stronger in my weaknesses. It forces me to make changes, trust more, challenge myself, my doubts, and my fears. Uncertainty makes me trust in God more fully, pain makes me persevere, weakness humbles me and makes me work harder to overcome them and get better. Through recent injury, I now have a lot more balance in my legs, awareness of issues and how to work on them, know where I'm weak and need to take better care of myself. I've been through such lows that God has brought me out of, it gives me hope. I can find joy in sorrows. I know that all these small things are part of my whole life's plan. When I don't know, He does. There is more to life than now. I will always have things to work toward. College is an amazing time, but it is only one section of time. I can't be obsessed with it or depressed with its end, but rejoice in knowing that there is also a huge future. Though I fear the unknown of where I may be in a couple years, I have hope in His plan.

God's Not Done

by Tauren Wells

Standing in your ruins, feels a lot like the end

So used to losing, you're afraid to try again

Right now all you see are ashes

Where there was a flame
The truth is that you're not forgotten

Cause grace knows your name

...There's a light you didn't notice til you're standing in the dark
And there's a strength that's growing

Inside your shattered heart

...He's got a plan, this is part of it
He's gonna finish what He started

God's not done writing your story

...God's not done with you

Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars

Even when you're lost and it's hard and you're falling apart

It's not over; it's only begun

So don't hide, don't run

Cause God's not done with you

What God's Word Says:

I put this verse here first, because it falls into almost every category below!
"being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you have have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:11-12

God's Plan and Your Future

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

"To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue...Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end...In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:1, 3-4, 9

"I know that you can do all thins; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"Since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Hebrews 11:40

"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord." Isaiah 55:8

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we..might be for the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:11-12

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do what I please.'" Isaiah 46:10

"Instead you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" James 4:15

"so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:5

"They did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen." Acts 4:28

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace." 2 Timothy 1:9

"But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:5

"for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable." Romans 11:29

Perseverance and Finishing

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

"You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be made mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:3-4

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

"Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

"We glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

"As for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

"We want each of you to show diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized." Hebrews 6:11

"Stand firm, and you will win life." Luke 21:19

"You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown." Revelation 2:10

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us with with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes on Jesus." Hebrews 12:1-2

Restored Joy

"I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11

"Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." Psalm 51:10, 12

Broken Hearts

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death nor mourning nor crying nor pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me." John 14:1

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, You, O God, will not despise." Psalm 51:17

Patience

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people...carry out their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25

"The revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and take heart, and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

Strength and Weakness

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word." Psalm 119:28

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation." Psalm 118:14

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:19

Light and Darkness

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16 and Isaiah 9:2

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

"You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18:28

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5:8

"...God's special possession that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

"for God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

"But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

"You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." 1 Thessalonians 5:5

"Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14

God Will Never Leave Us

"into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4

"Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with you. H will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the Lord is finished." 1 Chronicles 28:20

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15

"For the Lord will not reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance." Psalm 94:14

Live for the Lord

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24

"If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:8

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

"Do it Again" --Songs and Scriptures Series

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--from my journal:
I thought surely by now I wouldn't be dealing with basically the same or related injuries from February, wouldn't be staying up so late, not getting enough or the right things to drink or eat, not moving past planning projects to actually doing them, etc, but I still have the same struggles. But every time God has never failed to bring me through the deepest pits. I keep waiting for my body to heal, but I know the main issues are in His hands. He's already won my salvation and eternity and planned out my life. Though there are many dark times, there is always a new morning and sunshine to look ahead to. God's word will stick to its promises. There will always be things I can sing about. He is always enough. I do not need health, money, school, sport, friends, family, anything. All I need is God's love. His promises to always be with me, always love me and care for me, provide, protect, give a hope and a future, save me a place in heaven, and more are still there and always will be. He is my confidence when the rest of the world fails (well, before the world fails!). He has never failed me. I've seen Him do things in my life that could not even be possible any other way. He's done it once and even again already. I can have full faith that He can work miracles again.

Do It Again by Elevation Worship

Walking around these walls

I thought by now they’d fall

But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come

Knowing the battle’s won

For You have never failed me yet

…I know the night won’t last

Your word will come to pass

My heart will sing your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough

Keep me within Your love

My heart will sing Your praise again

…I’ve seen You move

You move the mountains

And I believe I’ll see You do it again

You made a way

When there was no way

And I believe I’ll see You do it again

Your promise still stands

Great is Your faithfulness, Your faithfulness

I’m still in Your hands

This is my confidence, You never fail

…This is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet

What God's Word Says:

He is faithful

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” Hebrews 6:11

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful…” 2 Timothy 2:13

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence…may the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be temped beyond what you can bear. When you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

“The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

“Praise be to the Lord who has given rest to His people…just as He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave through His servant Moses.” 1 Kings 8:56

“Proclaiming Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.” Psalm 92:2

“The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.” Psalm 111:7-8

“Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:8

“For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33 and Matthew 24:35

“So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

He will never leave us

“…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you…” 2 Peter 3:9

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

There will be good things to come from our trials if we hope and persevere

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:9-10

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.” Psalm 107:13-15

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:36

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you can be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

He will make a way

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My love for you will not be shaken, nor will my covenant of peace be removed’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

We will win in the end

“I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:3

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer…be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Revelation 2:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

“For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” Proverbs 21:31

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.” 1 Timothy 1:12

Faith and confidence

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“So do not throw away your confidence, for it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

“…if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2

“’Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24

“He replied, ‘…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” Matthew 17:20

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt…you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:21

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Get Off the Merry-Go-Round

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Got brave today and kind of looked at the needles. I highly recommend dry needling for anyone having a lot of muscle pain that you just can't get rid of through other means. I am not a trend-follower, but I am tooting the horn of this trendy train.

Dang, this book jumps out at me when I am not expecting it to. It may start out with something I don't relate to then bang pops up outta nowhere! Starting chapter 4 after the end of chapter 3 left me hoping for something more, I got more that's for sure.
--Stop trying to go around it and go through it--avoiding things that may be uncomfortable or inconvenient at the time that will help me in the future has been something that comes back to bite me. But now I am focusing on taking time to do what I need to do when it comes up, even if I don't want to. No, I don't want to take time to go to physical therapy an extra day, but I want to feel better. No I don't want to make yet another appointment and go to the dermatologist, but it may save the skin on my face. No, I don't want to study for the GRE but I'll be thankful if I only have to pay for it and take it once and get it done at a more convenient time (um, still haven't started stuyding...), you get it.

--This is the big one! A pattern of work and relief that is no longer glorifying to God, though it may not look sinful on the outside.
---I love the grind of daily life. I love to work hard, stay busy and productive, always finding something I want to do. I love the thick of a training cycle. I can use this to make great impacts on the people around me when I do it the right way, and I've done it in the past. I worked hard, had success, had great chances to share joy and hope with others. Sometimes though, I get way too busy and caught up, and I am just rushing from one thing to the next, not really looking at what is going on around me or what God wants me to see and do. Then my gifts and opportunities change from a tool to a self-defeating weapon. Then things like injuries, illness, schedule change, whatever, come along to get me to wake up to take a rest. Now instead of going around these signs, I am taking hold of them and looking for what needs to change (although it is kind of forced right now, I am learning to do it on my own and hopeful for the future). Then I thought of a quote that kind of blew my own mind: Get off the merry-go-round and be active in the whole playground. -->>Get out of the cycle of work and rest only to move on to the next work, and enjoy the whole life you've got right in front of you.

Also so excited to be getting a bunch of my favorite dizzled kettlecorn! Share your dreams; God loves them. He wants us to be able to live joyfully if our hopes are aligned with His plans. This may sound silly, but having that recognized was encouraging to my recovery.

***********

Since I've been biking somewhere on the highway pretty much every day for a while now, I've wondered how many people have recognized me, and today, a friend finally texted me that she had seen me! And she asked if we could make breakfast one day soon! Oh, how I needed that. I had also gotten a message from a friend I haven't seen in a couple years but she had wondered how I was doing and gave me some great encouragement through my injuries. I've been pretty lonely lately, and basically no one knows or seems to care whether or not I am hurt/healing/healed, so these were both blessings that God sent to pick me up to start the day. It also may sound silly, but a couple companies reached out to me on instagram, too, to do some work for them. Just a little something to remind me that people are watching, and I am making an impact even when I don't feel like it. That's how God keeps me going.

This afternoon my Bible study hit me like a home run again today! About the "why." A lot of times, it doesn't matter so much what we do, but why we do it. Good things can be sinful if they are done with the wrong intentions, and mistakes can be okay if they are done with a positive outlook.

--It also brought up the same verse that was my verse of the day yesterday, Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion in the day of Christ Jesus."

--The main idea of this section was on rest. Over time, I've gotten better at it. Taking time to relax is so good when you finally do it. Rest is a great time to reflect, too, as I've seen a lot in recent years. We need it. If we're always pushing forward 100mph, we can't really take in where we are and where we've come from. I need to look back and learn, sit still and observe. I often forget things as soon as they go through my head. Mom keeps telling me that if God is trying to tell me something through all this, to listen with my heart. I know He is. It is so good to feel it.

--There are so many things that can get me motivated about rest. It's one of those things that is hard to do, but once you do, you want more. God likes to work that way, rewarding challenges in His timing ("carry it on to completion in the day of Christ" not the day of Makenzie). Here are some of those wonders: energy, sleep, healing, peace, strength, refueling, enjoying the moment, spending time with others, having time to share, celebrate!, spend the time as thanks for what is past and preparation for what is ahead. It's not only a time for me, but ultimately a time for Christ to be made greater. Rest shows that I have faith in Him in the ways that are hardest for me. I fear the loss of productivity, fitness, my daily routine, whatever, but where I need to act in faith is not doing but being; trusting and thanking God for His provision. Whatever I do should be an act of worship. Enjoy a day on the lake with my family--thanking God for the weather, my home, the wonderful people. Go to a party and celebrate whatever the occasion! God brought us through a great thing! Or sit on the couch and thank God for helping me through another week and pray and prepare for the days ahead. Rest should be joyful, not burdensome.

--Amazing quote! "Fight fast-paced and fear-based with prayer and praise."

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Happiness Is

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A little over two years ago, I came across this cute little book while shopping at Target with my mom and dad. I can always stay in Target for hours, but this time Mom and I could've stayed in the entertaining book section for just as long! I flipped through every page of this one and got so many giggles and good memories. It reminded me of so many daily things that we can ought to be thankful to enjoy. It really is a blessing to have so many of God's gifts right in front of us every day. Ever since then I have been working on a project to commemorate some of the ways that I could relate the doodles to things in my life. This week I finally pieced together just about as many as I could and put it to quite a fitting song, HAPPINESS by NEEDTOBREATHE.

I hope that you are inspired to look at your daily life for the simple things that make you smile, share them with others, and thank the good Lord for all He does!

"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." Psalm 68:3

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..." Proverbs 15:13

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live." Ecclesiastes 3:12

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Christmas Song Histories

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It's been a long time since I've posted anything, but with school, cross country, and (lack of) time and sleep, I had to keep my priorities straight! Well, as straight as I could manage, still not doing so well in that area. However, I was busy to say the least. There are so many good things I wanted to share along the way, so I will whenever I get a chance.

For December, I squeezed in two articles for Tennessee Health & Wellness. These were not only "jobs," for me, but they were also an enjoyable activity. In the midst of preparing for projects and finals, I was able to do some Christmas celebrating in researching and writing these articles. This first one I'll share is about some of the top Christmas songs, history and fun facts. Short and sweet but interesting nonetheless!

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This time of year, whether you are in your car, watching TV, or in a store, Christmas music is sure to be heard. There are new songs and remakes that come out, but there is no beating the classics. While we may know the lyrics to these songs by heart, it is unlikely that we know the stories behind them. See if you knew the backgrounds of these ten holiday chart-toppers.

Jingle Bells was originally written by JP Morgan’s uncle, who was not a very cheery man himself, as he left his family multiple times and enlisted in the Georgia cavalry. The song was first performed in blackface. It was issued under the name “One Horse Open Sleigh,” and it was not written as a Christmas song, but rather Thanksgiving. Jingles Bells is also the first song broadcast from space on Gemini 6 on December 16, 1965.

Little Drummer Boy is a parallel to the Bible story of Jesus’s birth and an encouragement to people that no matter what they have, their gift to God is enough. Though there was no real drummer boy in the Bible story, it gives perspective of people visiting young Jesus with no gifts worthy of a King. Due to the repetition of “pa rum pum pump um,” it was originally called “Carol of the Drums.”

Oh Christmas Tree, aka O Tannenbaum, is a German carol dating back to the 1500s. “Tannen” is the word for fir, but most trees today are spruce. In translation, the first written lyrics come out roughly as, “Oh pine tree, you’re a noble twig! You greet us in the winter, the dear summer time.” The song is about acknowledging life of the evergreen tree year-round rather than how we now decorate them at Christmas.

Silent Night is another German song coming from a slightly unfortunate event of some actors traveling across the Austrian Alps to reenact the story of Jesus’s birth. The organ of one church they were scheduled at did not have a working organ at the time, so they moved the drama to a home. Following the show, one audience member took a peaceful walk home, remembering the words of a poem he had written a few years before. He decided it would be perfectly fitting for the congregation at the Christmas Eve service, where the organ was not missed as they embraced the beauty of the “silent night.”

Bing Crosby’s version of White Christmas holds claim to the best-selling Christmas song of all time. It already has a sad sound, but it’s first airing was also only weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The composer Irving Berlin (also behind “God Bless America”) was a Russian Immigrant and Jewish, so he did not celebrate Christmas. Possibly the most sad part of the story is that he wrote the song in memory of his three-year-old son who had died on Christmas Day. The song still brings up nostalgia with people today.

Blue Christmas, another color, another sad theme, was a hit no one expected. Elvis and many others in his recording industry, thought it would fail, and he almost refused to do it. Many others have since recorded the song, including (ironically) the Beach Boys, but Elvis’s version leads the way.

Santa Baby was actually written in majority by a man, and he still doesn’t really like the song himself. He did not know how he was going to complete such a task as writing a “sexy” Christmas song for icon of the time, Eartha Kitt. After her recording in 1953, it was banned in several states for being such a scandalous turn from the norm in those days.

Feliz Navidad is only made up of 20 words in English and Spanish, but it is one of the most heartfelt carols sung today. Puerto Rican musician Jose Feliciano decided to include English lyrics because he knew that if it was only Spanish, American stations wouldn’t play it. Feliciano leads his audiences in celebration with his heart for dancing, even though he is blind and can’t see them.

The song most would recognize from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Christmas Time is Here by the Vince Guaraldi Trio was first sung by the children’s choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 1965. The song originated as part of the Peanuts story, but it was assumed the show would only last once or twice. Little did they know the big impact the song and show would have on future generations. Lee Mendelson, producer of the show and recruiter of Guaraldi, says, “Those children’s voices will likely outlive all of us, meaning something different and something sadly wonderfully the same with every passing year.”

While “Joy to the World” can be found on Christmas-related products left and right, the song was not written about Christmas. Isaac Watts wrote this song about Jesus’s second coming. In comparing the lyrics to scripture, it is obvious to see the differences between the first and second coming. For example, when Jesus was born, the world did not accept Him, but with the song and the story of the second coming, heaven and earth both sing in praise of His return. Beyond the religious realm, it has been sung by many secular artists including Moriah Carrey and is even referenced in “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog” by Hoyt-Axton.

As you deck the halls with these Christmas classics, take a moment to think about what the words mean to you and your life during the holidays.

Monday, July 2, 2018

JULY 1 it's a good day! And Dad's birthday!